Regional Briefs 10/18/2013

HARRISBURG - U.S. and state flags in Lackawanna County and at the Capitol Complex will fly at half-staff today to honor a Scranton soldier killed during World War II.

Gov. Tom Corbett issued the order to honor Army Air Force First Lt. Robert G. Fenstermacher. Lt. Fenstermacher of Scranton was 23 when his plane crashed in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge.

His remains were identified last fall and will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery today.

A press release from the governor's office authorized all Pennsylvanians to participate, lowering flags until sunset today.

Mid Valley appeals judge's order

THROOP - The Mid Valley School District filed an appeal Wednesday, challenging a ruling compelling the district to provide documents sought through a Right-to-Know request.

Last month, Lackawanna County Judge Terrence R. Nealon, ruled Mid Valley must provide the documents requested by Sam L. Warshawer Jr., part of Venzie, Phillips and Warshawer, the law firm representing contractor Mar-Paul. The district is in the midst of a payment dispute with the construction contractor, withholding more than $300,000 for work during the elementary renovation and construction project.

The district said some documents were held by third party contractors and not subject to the Right-to-Know laws. It also claimed Mr. Warshawer was trying to bypass arbitration rules outlined in the contract with Mar-Paul. Mr. Warshawer's attorney, Jeff Venzie, said any resident was entitled to the documents, adding that Mr. Warshawer acted as a citizen, not a lawyer.

Tunkhannock revisits appointment

TUNKHANNOCK - The Tunkhannock Area School Board announced Thursday night there was a residency issue with its appointment last week of Amy Yuhas to fill a temporary vacancy on the board, and it voted to rescind her appointment.

The board then decided to appoint the second candidate it had considered Oct. 10 - Paul Lupinski - pending his availability. Reached by phone Thursday following the meeting, Mr. Lupinski said he was still interested.

He resides in Northmoreland Twp. and has two children in the district. He could be voted in and sworn in next Thursday for a term that expires at the end of November. Whomever is elected Nov. 5 to the open seat in Region 2 will take a seat at the Dec. 5 reorganization meeting.

Coroner IDs body found by hunters

TANNERSVILLE - Authorities in Northeast Pennsylvania say a man whose body was found by hunters in the woods had been reported missing by his family more than two months ago.

Monroe County Coroner Bob Allen told the Pocono Record on Thursday that the man was identified through dental records as 64-year-old Joseph Cherepko of Hellertown.

Mr. Cherepko's decomposing body was discovered Monday near the former Birchwood Resort in Pocono Twp., about 300 yards from the road.

The coroner said Mr. Cherepko died of exposure. A comforter and other items found near his body suggest he had been sleeping in the woods for some time.

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